Nov 28, 2011
Perspective on Democratic retirements
TO: Interested Parties
FROM: DCCC Communications
RE: Perspective on Democratic retirements
DATE: November 28, 2011
Today, you have heard a lot bluster from Republicans about Democratic retirements – don’t believe it. After the House changes control, there are always retirements in the party that was formerly in the majority.
The fact is that this cycle there are fewer retirements than have historically retired:
- After Republicans won in 1994, 20 Democrats retired;
- After Democrats won in 2006, 22 Republicans retired; and,
- So far this cycle, only 9 Democrats retired.
Retirements are a problem only if a party cannot hold the seat. The nine Democrats who have retired this cycle represent seats with strong Democratic DNA and have, or will have, strong Democratic candidates.
|
District |
Member |
Dem Performance |
|
AR-04 |
Mike Ross |
52 % |
|
CA-06 |
Lynn Woolsey |
67 % |
|
CA-18 |
Dennis Cardoza |
54 % |
|
IL-12 |
Jerry Costello |
53 % |
|
MA-04 |
Barney Frank |
55 % |
|
MI-15 |
Dale Kildee |
62 % |
|
OK-02 |
Dan Boren |
57 % |
|
TX-20 |
Charlie Gonzalez |
60 % |
Before House Republicans spike the ball in the end zone and get penalized for excessive celebration, they would be smart to remember that voters are rejecting their no-jobs agenda that is directed toward making the rich even richer. The Republican Congress’ approval rating hovers between dismal and pathetic. More importantly, Congressional Republicans are trailing the generic ballot by an average of 3 percent.
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